Creating conceptual albums that tell an epic sci-fi story, prog-rockers Coheed and Cambria are fueled by lead singer and guitarist Claudio Sanchez’s unique artistic vision, which weaves the band’s music together with a series of comic books entitled The Amory Wars – the band even takes its name from two of the story’s protagonists. Ahead of the show at Mixing Room & Muse, we spoke to Sanchez about the origins of his music and fiction, breaking away from record label Columbia and building a movie out of his beloved project.
Your music has been described as everything from ‘nu prog’ to ‘post-hardcore,’ but you explore many different styles in your albums. How important is it to you to avoid being stylistically pigeonholed?
It’s nice not to be pigeonholed, but I wouldn’t say I go out of my way to avoid anything in particular. I just write what comes to me. I don’t mind being called ‘progressive’ because that means being diversified, always changing and not stagnating. I don’t wish to be lumped in with a sub-genre that has an expiration date… But we don’t go out of our way to be one thing or another. We just do what we do.
Who or what were your earliest musical influences?
My dad played the guitar and always had music playing in the house. Classic rock: Hendrix, Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, that kind of thing. My mom’s taste was more pop. I remember driving around in the car listening to her sing Madonna and the Bee Gees.
You’re currently funding and releasing your own work after being on Columbia for years. How has this affected the creative and recording process?
Though we were never creatively restricted by Columbia, there’s an unconscious feeling of freedom that comes with not being connected to a label. I think it comes across in the songs to some degree and it was certainly at play in the recording process because there was no external pressure to have certain things done by certain dates. The band was able to let the songs be finished when we truly felt they were.
With The Amory Wars, the band’s albums essentially tell one big sci-fi story. Was that always the plan?
It originally started as three stories and expanded from there. When I first started writing lyrics, I was very shy and didn’t feel comfortable baring my personal story in lyrics. So I created this fantasy sci-fi universe that spoke about my life and those around me virtually as a work of fiction.
What is it about sci-fi that you find gives you such a release?
I’ve always been attracted to sci-fi because it was outside of the confines of what could be considered normalcy. There is something endlessly interesting about worlds and stories that are created outside of what we know on Earth. As a creator, the chance for invention stretches into everything, instead of being limited by objects, beings and locations that we know to be true in our own solar system.
The Amory Wars has reportedly been optioned by Mark Wahlberg and production company Leverage. What involvement will you have with the final product?
We’ve been working closely with our production company to put together a team for the film adaptation. It’s certainly a process and we are just at the beginning, but I’m super hands-on when it comes to these things, so I think it’s safe to say I’ll be as involved as possible in the final product. And I fully intend to have a cameo!
After 10 years of recording and performing, what do you attribute your longevity to?
We are in the rare position to have a fan base that is hungry, loyal and, most importantly, open-minded. Without an audience who demand more from you while accepting your growth, we wouldn’t have made it this far. We’ve been super fortunate, so we try to go the extra mile for our fans whenever we can. I feel like we made this record for them and they responded to it.
What do you have lined up for the future?
Our first trip to Shanghai and Korea; touring with Alice and Chains and Jane’s Addiction in the US. After that, only time will tell!
// July 25, 8pm, RMB380 (includes one drink). The Mixing Room & Muse, 1200 Shibo Dadao 世博大道1200号(5150 9199)
We have a pair of wristbands to the show to give away. Simply answer the following question:
In The Amory Wars, what is the name of Coheed and Cambria’s sole surviving son?
Answers to win@urbanatomy.comwith the subject ‘Coheed’ by July 22.
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